The Three Christs of Ypsilanti - Milton Rokeach [104]
Here Joseph has pointed to a sharp contrast in Leon’s behavior —related obviously to his attitudes toward two different sets of referents. When his wife, a positive reference person, offers Leon money, he accepts it. When we and Joseph, negative reference persons, offer him cigarettes, he refuses them.
When I ask Leon about the letters, he makes no mention of the one he has just received but talks freely about the one that came three days before. Since I now know he had bought refreshments, cigarette paper, tobacco, and a ball-point pen, I ask him what he did with the change. He replies that he went to the chapel and placed each of three dimes on the altars of the Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish chapels. I commend him and suggest a motion to this effect. Joseph demurs. “I am against it. I can’t be for it. That’s just one time. One time is very insignificant. You’ve commended him sufficiently. I’d disregard it. I have given thousands upon thousands to charity.”
When the conversation returns to the letter, Joseph remarks: “I’ve been having it in my mind that he hasn’t got a wife.” Leon replies: “My wife is within me. She’s also my father and mother.”[2]
September 13. Leon is chairman today. What song will he choose? For a whole year now the three Christs have been opening and closing their meetings with America, rejecting all our suggestions to vary the songs.
After signing the Chairman List, Leon asks Clyde and Joseph to stand. “I move we sing the first verse of Onward Christian Soldiers,” he says. When they have finished the song, he tells us his wife suggested it.
September 14
My dearest husband,
It fills me with joy to know that you are carrying out my instructions with so much pleasure and good faith. I want to continue telling you things that will make you happy and increase your enjoyment of life.
I am sending you another dollar so that you might supply yourself with much refreshments and anything else you want to buy. In a charitable way you should treat Joseph and Clyde to a double cola.
I will write you again at the earliest possible moment.
Your loving wife,
Madame Yeti Woman
Some time later, Leon approaches an aide and asks him to change a dollar. He then gives Clyde and Joseph each a quarter, and spends the rest on himself.
September 16
My dear husband,
Your obedience to my wishes for your happiness gives me great pleasure. It is proof that you are a worthy person and husband. I am sure that you will share my satisfaction at the righteous-idealed plans that I am making for your life.
I want to wish you a truthful and happy weekend. You will receive another letter from me on Monday. As I mentioned in my last letter, I plan to write you very often in order to bring you as much happiness as I possibly can.
With love,
Madame Yeti Woman
Leon, as chairman, opens today’s meeting with Onward Christian Soldiers, and closes it with America.
September 17. Clyde and Joseph spend most of the day outdoors. Leon stays in the sitting room by himself and becomes upset when another patient wanders in; he says he is praying and doesn’t want to be bothered.
At the meeting we ask Leon about the letter he received today. Could I see it, I ask, since I continue to find it difficult to believe he has a wife?
“No, sir!” he exclaims. “And that’s an example right there of trying to lead my life. I don’t go for it!”
—You don’t like to be asked questions?—
“I believe that if your wife wrote you a letter and I asked you, I believe you’d give me a more affirmative answer!”
September 19. In the early afternoon Leon is handed a letter. He says to the aide: “Thank you, sir, it’s from my wife.” After the usual salutation and expressions of affection, support, and concern for his well-being, it continues:
It also pleases me very